523.02
Initiative petition.

(A)
A
resolution for a merger under this chapter may be proposed by initiative
petition by the electors of each township being proposed for merger, and
adopted by election by these electors under the same circumstances, in the same
manner, and subject to the same penalties as provided by sections
731.28 to
731.40 and
731.99 of the Revised Code for
municipal corporations, except that all of the following apply:

(1)
Each
board of township trustees shall perform the duties imposed on the legislative
authority of the municipal corporation under those sections;

(2)
Initiative petitions shall be filed with the township fiscal officer of each
township proposed for merger, who shall perform the duties imposed under those
sections upon the city auditor or village clerk;

(3)
Initiative petitions shall contain the signatures of not less than ten per cent
of the total number of electors in a township proposed for merger who voted for
the office of governor at the most recent general election in the township for
that office;

(4)
Each
signer of an initiative petition shall be an elector of the township in which
the election on the proposed resolution is to be held.

(B)
The
merger shall take effect one hundred twenty days after certification by the
board or boards of elections that the merger has been approved by the electors
of each township proposed for merger.